Meter connection, meter and stop-cock box.



No. 654,6I5. P atented July-3|, |900.

` H. V.` ESTILLV METER CONNECTIONMETEB AND'STP COCK BOX.

(Application led Apr. 14, 1900.) A Y (No Model.) 3 Sheds-Sheet No. 654,6I5. Patented July 3|, |900. H. V. ESTILL. METER CONNEUTIUMMETE AND STOP COCK BOX. (Appuminn med Apr. 14, 1900.) (N0 Model.) 3 slieets-sheqt 2.

PATENT eric.

HARRY v. nsrrLL, or MOBERLY, MissoURr.'

METER coNNEVcTIoN, METER AND sToP-coQK Box.

s'PEcrFrcArIoN forming para of Letters :Patent No. 654,615, dated July e1, 190e. Application filed April 14, 1900. Serial No. 12,850. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HARRY V. ESTILL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Moberly, in fthe county of `Randolph and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMeterConnections Meter and Stop-Cock Boxes, of-which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to meter-boxes and meter connections embracing improvements on the invention covered by Patent No. 627,911, issued June 27, 1899. i One object of this invention is to provide means whereby a meter can be screwed on and olf a service-pipe from. the surface of the ground without disturbing the original connections; furthermore,to have a special meter connection of a novel construction having a central passage and an annular passage therearound which answers for both inlet or dis-` charge, the same comprising a double coupling connected by screw-threads, thereby making a positive central connection.

A further object of the invention is to have an adjustable connection to suit all styles of meters and secured with a simple compression lock-nut. u v

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sectional A meter-box .telescopically connected and means for renderingthe joints waterproof. i

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide novel mechanism' for retaining thev coverin place, said 4`mechanism being under the control of a single screw.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is the production of a meter connection of novel construction whereby, if desired, the 'meter may be removed and connection :made to cause the supply and service pipes to communicate that the delivery to the service-pipe may not be permanentlyinterrupted.

Finally, the object of the `invention is to provide a meterffbox` and connections which will possess advantages in points of simplicity, efficiency, Iand durability, proving at the same time satisfactory in use and comparatively inexpensive to produce and sustain.

With theabove and other objects in view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a meter-box, showing the meter and its connections in elevation applied to the box. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the meter connections. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the meter connections, dro., applied to the casing. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. G isa perspective view of one of the gaskets. Fig. '7 is a sectional view of the cap for use when the meter is dispensed with. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a modified connection for securing the telescopic section of the meter-casing to the central section thereof. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fragment of the securing-ring inverted. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a fragment of the upper section of the casing, showing the flanges with cam-surfaces for engaging lugs of the ring.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the base of the meter-box, havingapertures 2,3 for the supply and service pipe connections,`and an annular flange 4, corresponding with the flange 5, formed on the bottom ofthemiddle section 6 of the meter-box. A ring b is provided to embrace the'section 6 of the meter-box, said ring being provided with inwardly-extending lugs c, which are adapted to engage and ride 'on the inclined edges cof the flanges d,secured on the outer surface of the upper section a of the meter-box. The top section can be adjusted so as to increase the length of the box,

4as will be understood, is cylindrical, andis provided with' an internal ilangelO `near the to Y' he lid or cover 11 of the box is adapted to rest on the lange 10, and it is held thereon against displacement by locking-levers 12. The locking-levers are pivoted to lugs 13, depending from the cover, and the inner ends IOO of said levers extend nearly to the center of the cover. The upper edges of the inner ends a l I 654,615

vers will be allowed to descend out of en gagement with the flange, thus permitting the removal of the cover. of the top is recessed as at .15, to receive the head of the lever-controlling bolt.

A curb-cock 16 is interposed in the supply# pipe 17, said curb-cock being located within the casing. The supply-pipe 17 and the serv- ,ice-pipe 18 4extend through the wall of the lower section of the casing when they are connected to the underground extensions. The supply and service pipes merge into a double coupling 19, the said supply-pipe extending upward centrally of the coupling and the service-pipe being in communication with 4 the annular space 20, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 2. Y y

The coupling comprises an upperand lower member 'joined by threads, the said upper member having an annular passage in communication with the leg 21 of the upper member, andthe inner or supply pipe. being in communication with the leg 2 2 of said upper member. A gasket 23 is interposed between thev meeting ends of the members and has holes therein to correspond with the outer and inner passages of the coupling. The end of each leg of the upper section of the coupling is internally threaded for the reception y of the ends 'of the curved pipes 25, and it is my object to have the lower ends of said pipes so threaded as to allow for their adjustment to meters of varying widths. A jam-nut 26 is provided on. each pipe 25 for locking the parts in their adjusted position. The upper ends of the pipes 25 are convexed on their outer edgesy to form bearings for the elbows 26,'which are concaved on their inner surfaces; 'Nuts 27 are lemployed for binding the ends ofthe pipes and elbows together. The elbows at the upper end are threaded to the nipples 28 ofthe meter 29, and gaskets 30 are interposed between the ends of the nipples and shoulders of the elbows.

VThe meter is provided with an extension- "baron whichis mounted the meter-dial, so

that the condition of the meter can be taken from the surface of the ground.

As shown in Fig. 8, the upper portiona of thecasing is fitted on the outside'of thecentral portion of the casing. A ring b, approximately L shape in cross-section, embraces the central section of the casing and has inturned lugs c. The upper section of the casing has t external lianges d with cam edges e, said flanges 4being separated. In fastening the upper section in place the upper section is passed over the central section after the ring has been applied to said central section; v"The The upper surfacelugs of the ring`register with thepspaces between the flanges of the upper section, and as the upper surfaces of the flanges pass below the lugs the upper section is partially rotated, and owing to the cam action the lower :edgeof the upper section is more and more depressed in the ring. A packing f, lying in the ring against the central section of the meter-casing, is compressed by the downward movement ofthe edge ofthe upper section in the ring, and thus a watertight butyielding joint is formed. The yielding action is provided and very desirable incase of expansion dueto frost or other causes.

The nature of the invention can readily be ascertained from the foregoing, and it will be understood that l donot wish to limit myself to the specic structure, or proportions de; scribed, las thearrangement of details for successfully carrying my invention into practice may be variou'sly'modiied to meet particular requirements or circumstances, as will be obvious to those skilled in the'art. Y

Having thus fully described. my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y f l. In combination with ameter-boxand its cover, locking-levers pivoted tothe coverand having beveled inner ends and screw threaded through the top and engaging the levers. 2. In combination, ameter, elbows connected to the meter, said elbows having theirends remote from the meter and concaved internally, pipes joined to the elbows having their ends convexed, nuts for adjusting and 'bind ing the ends together, a meter'4 connection comprisingan upper and lower section having a central passagefand ran annular passage therearound, Asaidupper section of the meter connectionV having legs to'which the pipes Aare adjustably secured, 'and jam-nut for binding the pipes in theiradj'us'tedposition. n 3. Ina connection for meterfcasingsgan npper telescopic section fitted over the station-A ary section and having'ext'ernal Ii'angeslwith cam-surfaces,'a ring approximately L-shapedin crosssection to receive the lower'jend 'of the telescopic section having inturned lugs riding on the 'cam-surfaces of the ila'nges and packing below the edge'ofthe ringcomp'ressed by the action ofthe ring'an'd edgeofthe telescopic section, and adapted to'bear against the central section of the casing. Y

4f. A meter-box comprisinga' base, having an annular iiange at the top, amiddlesection having a flange -corresponding to the flange of the base 5' said base and middlesection being connected by bolts` passing'through the said 'lianges, a top telescopically fitted Vto the middle section and having an internal flange near thetop, a cover resting :von the flange, locking-levers pivoted to the cover. and having beveled inner ends anda screw threaded through the top andengaging the levers.

' V5. In combination,`a casing, a meter llav- .ing nipples suitably placed, a supply-pipe and IOG a service-pipe passing through the wall of the lower section of the casing, said supply and service pipes merging into a double coupling, said supply-pipe extending upward centrally of the coupling and the service-pipe being in communication with the annular space formed around the supply-pipe, legs formed on the upper portion of the coupling and adjustable curved pipes communicating between the nipples of the meter and the legs of the coupling.

6. In combination, a casing, a meter, a supplypipe and a service-pipe passing through the wall of the lower section of the casing, said supply-pipe and service-pipe merging into a double coupling of two sections, said supply-pipe extending upward centrally of the lower section of the coupling and connecting with a corresponding pipe in the upper section, said pipe in the upper section being in communication with a leg of said upper section, said service-pipe being in communication with the annular space around the supply-pipe, said annular space being in communication with another leg of the upper section of the coupling, a connection between the legs of the coupling and the meter, and a gasket between the meeting ends of the sections of the couplings having holes therein corresponding with the outer and inner passages of the coupling.

7. In combination, a meter-box having an internal flange near the top,- a cover resting on said liange, locking-levers pivoted to the cover adapted to engage the under surface of the internal ange of the meter-box and having beveled inner ends and a screw threaded through the cover engaging the levers.

8. In combination, a meter-box comprising a base, a middle section rigidly secured to the base, and a top section telescopically fitted to the middle section, said top section having its lower edge beveled and a flange having its upper edge inclined secured on its outer surface,a ring adaptedto embrace the middle section, said ring being approximately L-shaped in cross-section and being provided with inwardlyprojecting lugs adapted to engage and ride on the inclined edge of the ange of the top section of the meter-casing, a cover for said top section, locking-levers pivoted to the cover and having beveled inner ends, a screw threaded through thetop and engaging the levers, a meter, a meter connection, said connection comprising an upper and lower section having a central passage and an annular passage therearound, said upper section having legs, elbows connected to the meter, said elbows having their ends remote from the meter and concaved internally, pipes joined to the elbows and having their opposite ends secured to the legs of the upper section of the coupling, nuts for adjusting and binding the ends together, and a curb-cock, all arranged in the meter-box as Vand for the purpose set forth.

4In testimony whereof I ax my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Il. V. ESTILL. Witnesses: B. S. HEAD,

H. A. MARTIN. 

